Newsletter - 27 November 2025
From the desk of Councillor David Brown
Budget 2026: Making Every Dollar Work for Ward 21
Budget 2026 delivers big investments in Ward 21 and throughout rural Ottawa, with major funding for rural roads, drainage, and core services that residents rely on every day. From safer intersections and better emergency response to record investments in housing and a provincially backed LRT deal that protects taxpayers.
Read more here
Ward Updates
All systems snow: getting ready for winter
We are expecting snow this Sunday. It is a great time to brush up on the City’s winter operations to ensure our plows can get through and our streets stay safe.
Winter Weather Parking Bans
From November 15 to April 1, the City may declare a parking ban if Environment Canada forecasts 7 cm or more of snow. Keeping cars off the street allows crews to clear roads efficiently.
The Rules: No parking on City streets during a winter weather parking ban.
Timing:
Overnight Bans (7 pm to 7 am): Announced by 9 am the day of.
Daytime Bans (10 am to 7 pm): Announced by 3:30 pm the previous day.
Subscribe to email alerts regarding parking bans: eSubscriptions
Significant Weather Events
If hazardous weather (freezing rain, heavy blizzards) is forecasted, the City may declare a "Significant Weather Event."
What this means: The standard timelines for clearing roads and sidewalks are suspended.
What to expect: Crews will be deployed and working hard, but it will take longer than usual to clear the network. Please limit travel if possible.
Clearing Your Property
Don’t push snow onto the street, sidewalk, or the right of way.
Note: The "Right of Way" is the City-owned land that extends beyond the paved road. This usually includes the sidewalk and the grassy strip located between your property line and the curb.
Help keep fire hydrants clear. Clearing 0.5 metres around a hydrant maintains access for our firefighters and helps them keep you, your family, and your community safe. If you are unable to clear the hydrant on your property, please call 3-1-1.
Driveway Markers: If you use them, they must be wood, plastic, or fiberglass (no larger than a hockey stick) and set back from the road/sidewalk.
Shoveling Smarts & Community Support
Dealing with Windrows Plows often leave a pile of snow at the end of driveways (windrows). Property owners are responsible for clearing these. Please take your time and shovel carefully to avoid injury.
Need Help? If you need assistance clearing your walkway, check out the City’s Snow Go and Snow Go Assist Programs.
Want to Help? Consider becoming a Snow Angel! You can support the community by helping an elderly neighbour or someone with a disability clear their driveway or steps.
Garbage & Recycling
Please place your bins and bags at the curb. Do not place them behind or on top of snowbanks, as this makes them difficult for collectors to reach.
Stay warm and drive safe this winter!
City of Ottawa Launches “My Rec Pass” December 1
Starting Monday, December 1, 2025, the City of Ottawa is implementing a new membership and admission model for recreation facilities. This new system is designed to provide consistent fees and greater flexibility across more than 50 City facilities.
The New Three-Tier System The new model simplifies admissions into three levels based on the cost of the activity. Higher tiers include access to all lower-tier activities.
Basic: Includes lane and public swims, skating, and gym sports.
Plus: Adds access to specialized equipment like cardio-weight rooms, squash courts, and ice sports.
Super: The all-inclusive option featuring group fitness, aquafitness, wave swims, and rock climbing.
Key Benefits for Residents
City-Wide Access: Old facility designations are removed. Your pass now works at over 50 recreation facilities across Ottawa.
Household Value: Household memberships cover up to two adults and allow everyone under the age of 25 living at the same address to be added for free.
Library Discount: A 20% discount on annual memberships is available for Ottawa Public Library card holders.
Flexibility: Annual memberships have no initiation fees and can be canceled at any time without penalty. If you visit more than four times a month, a membership is likely your most cost-effective option.
If you are an existing member, fee increases will be capped at $5 per month (single) or $10 per month (household) until the new rate is reached. Financial assistance (Hand in Hand) remains available for eligible residents.
For full pricing details or to purchase a pass, visit the City of Ottawa website: Ottawa.ca
Out & About
I had the pleasure of attending the grand reopening of Boombox Fitness in Richmond last week. Sean and Heather unveiled their impressive renovation, including two beautiful new spaces: a dedicated personal training room and a new yoga studio.
It was great to see such strong community support for this local business. Congratulations to Sean and Heather on this exciting new chapter!
Capitale Forest and Rural Woodlands Ottawa stopped by last week to take a closer look at the soil for a tree-planting project planned for next year, right behind my office in North Gower! This initiative will transform an underused space with native trees and plants, boost local biodiversity.
I was pleased to be a guest of MPP George Darouze at Queen’s Park last week, where we discussed Ottawa’s priorities and the unique needs of our rural communities.
It was a pleasure to take part in this year’s Holiday Musicale in support of Rural Ottawa South Support Services. Thank you to the performers, volunteers, and community members who made it such a memorable afternoon.
I stopped in to check out the new City Archives exhibit Cultivating Community with Councillor Kitts and spotted a great piece of Ward 21 history: the first Women’s Institute, founded in North Gower in 1907.
Packing winter kits with the Richmond Muslim Association for donation to the Richmond Food Bank, including toiletries, warm blankets, hats, and mittens.
Construction Updates
Road Resurfacing & Construction Impacts
A number of resurfacing, maintenance, and preservation projects are scheduled across Ward 21 in the coming months. Some work will include nighttime construction between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., which may result in temporary noise impacts for nearby residents.
We will continue to share updates as these projects progress and appreciate your patience during this work to improve our roads.
River Road Temporary Closure (Manotick Area)
Construction work will be happening on River Road from Friday, November 28 at 8:00pm to Monday, December 1 at 6:00am. To complete the work safely, the road will be closed between Earl Armstrong Road and Borbridge Avenue.
Crews will be installing new storm and sanitary sewers, a watermain, and fully repaving the road. The project is developer-led to service new homes in Riverside South and is not a City project.
We know this is the second major closure this year, and the City worked with the contractor to limit it to a single weekend. Overnight work will help get the job done as quickly as possible.
Important reminders:
Follow detour signage.
Non-local traffic should avoid neighbourhood streets during this time.
These upgrades are key to supporting new housing in the area.
Resurfacing Projects
All projects completed. A list of future planned projects will be available in spring 2026.
Future Projects
Beginning next summer, the City will begin rehabilitation of the Rideau Valley Drive Bridge over Stevens Creek in Kars. Anticipated construction dates are early July 2026 to late September 2026. More information will be provided in advance of construction.
Other Construction Projects
➔ Hydro Work Supporting Dwyer Hill Training Facility Expansion
Hydro Ottawa is working on major electrical upgrades in Ward 21 to support the long-term expansion of the Department of National Defence’s Dwyer Hill Training Centre, a project scheduled to continue through 2034.
Phase 1: Hydro Pole and Equipment Installation on Dwyer Hill Road
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Phase 1 has been completed.
Phase 2: Transformer Installation and Infrastructure Upgrade on Garvin Road
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Phase 2 has begun with the installation of a new 30 MVA transformer and the construction of a new building to house supporting electrical infrastructure at the Richmond South municipal transformer station on Garvin Road, just west of Huntley Road. This phase is expected to be completed by December 19, 2025.
Both projects will take place within Hydro Ottawa property and the City’s Road Right-of-Way, and all scheduling has been planned with customer convenience and safety in mind. Affected customers will receive door-to-door notices, including advance warnings for any planned outages.
You may notice increased construction activity in the area during the day. These infrastructure upgrades are essential to supporting the growing energy demands tied to national defence operations and the surrounding community.
➔ Pole Installation on Franktown Road
Hydro Ottawa is installing new hydro poles and equipment along Franktown Road between Conley Road and Munster Road. This work will be carried out by Bradley Kelly Construction Ltd. and is expected to be completed by February 2026.
To explore citywide construction projects, use the City of Ottawa Interactive Construction Map.
Community Events
You can check out the Ward 21 website at any time to see an up-to-date list of upcoming events.
In case you missed this week’s event newsletter, click here: Upcoming Community Events in Ward 21!
Stay in touch!
I want to hear from you! Stay connected and keep informed by:
📱 Following us on social media – Click the icons below to stay updated.
🌐 Visiting our website: www.ward21.ca
📧 Emailing your concerns: ward21@ottawa.ca
📞 Calling our office: 613-580-2491
📅 Want to meet with Councillor Brown at his North Gower office? Email ward21@ottawa.ca to book an appointment.
Looking forward to connecting with you!